The Regina Police Service handed out a total of nine awards to 33 individuals today in a ceremony at Regina’s Delta Hotel. The recipients, some of whom are Regina Police Service employees, were joined by some Regina citizens and police officers from the Saskatoon Police Service and RCMP. All are being recognized for their contributions to policing, safety and enhancement of life in our community. The award recipients are as follows:
Special Service Award
Mr. Curtis Kemp and Mr. Ken Sabo, representatives for the Children’s Justice Foundation – The Children’s Justice Foundation was founded in 2005 as a charitable, non-profit organization to enhance training opportunities for those engaged in child abuse investigations. The Foundation also helps with research opportunities in the fields of social and human justice studies. To date, the Foundation has provided specialists to train police officers and social services investigators and has also funded technical equipment and training opportunities out of province.
Mr. Murray Fines – In the late 1960’s, Mr. Fines was responsible for Public Relations at CIS, now known as the co-operators. He was approached by a member of the Regina Police Service about a crime prevention program, active in the U-S, called “Operation Identification”. It was a process of marking valuables with an engraving pen, so if ever they were stolen, they could be returned to the rightful owner. Mr. Fines agreed to support the program and disseminated the information to insurance companies across Canada. In 1984, Mr. Fines was invited by RPS to discuss support of a new program, again from the U-S, which eventually grew into Crime Stoppers. Since 1984, Mr. Fines has served the Regina Crime Stoppers program in almost every capacity.
Meritorious Performance Award
Ms. Patti Sandison-Cattell – Ms. Sandison-Cattell is the Wellness Co-ordinator for the Regina Police Service. Her dedication to promoting the wellness of RPS employees goes beyond just physical fitness. Ms. Sandison-Cattell offers considerable experience and knowledge to RPS employees and their family members on topics like healthy eating, work/life balance and managing shift work and stress. As an instructor and staff member at the Saskatchewan Police College, she has improved the wellness of a large percentage of the province’s municipal police officers, as well. She is co-founder of the Regina Police Service Half Marathon, now into its ninth year (a sellout in six days), which gives the Service a way to promote healthy living to the entire Regina community. She is also an experienced marathon runner, having completed that 42.2 kilometre journey, in various Canadian and U-S cities, twenty times. Ms. Sandison-Cattell is being recognized for her exceptional contribution to the wellness of RPS employees and their families.
Teamwork Award
Ms. Karolina Bilodeau, Ms. Lisa Davey, Mr. Shawn Fenwick, Mr. James Griffiths, Ms. Colleen Hall, Mr. Thomas Howell, Mr. Rene LeClair, Mr. Timothy Logan, Mr. Jordon Marks, Mr. Emmanuel Otitoju, Mr. Joshua Potter, Ms. Michelle Solomon, Mr. Terry Vogel, Mr. Roger DeCorby, Ms. Michelle Easton-Brotzel, Ms. Jodi Earl, Ms. Rhonda Ellingboe, Mr. Rob Lechner, Kelly Rainville, Ms. Tosha Ternes and Mr. Paul Fisher – This teamwork award is given to members of RPS, SPS, the RCMP and the Crown in connection with a 2010 case involving a male inappropriately approaching children on the street. It quickly grew into a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation, in which electronic and computer evidence played a critical role. The partner agencies helped to identify other victims in their own communities and the Crown Prosecutor was available to the team throughout the lengthy investigation. Mr. Rob Collins is awarded the Meritorious Performance Award in connection with this same investigation.
Chief’s Commendation
Mr. Ronald Kapell – In November of 2010, police were dispatched to the lake located behind the Northwest Leisure Centre for a report that someone had fallen through the ice. A father and two sons were walking their dog, when the dog went through the ice, followed shortly thereafter by the father and one of the boys. The other boy ran to a nearby house to get help. The resident of that house, Mr. Ronald Kapell ran to the site with plywood and an extension cord and helped the two to safety. Mr. Kapell is awarded the Chief’s Commendation for his selfless actions.
Mr. Michael Yohans and Mr. Robel Kiflemariam – On March 11, 2011, police were dispatched to a robbery progress at a convenience store on Dewdney Avenue. Mr. Yohans was on duty and Mr. Kiflemariam was in the store when a group entered with a firearm and knife and demanded money. The suspects stopped the robbery attempt and tried to flee the store, but Mr. Yohans and Mr. Kiflemariam chased after them, apprehending the suspects and recovering the firearm. Mr. Yohans and Mr. Kiflemariam are awarded the Chief’s Commendation for risking personal safety to assist police.
Mr. Derek Csada, Mr. Graham Bourne and Mr. Tyler Sebulsky – On July 27, 2011, these officers responded to a call of a person threatening harm to himself at the Albert Street North overpass. The officers were able to approach the male and pull him to safety and, in recognition of their actions to save a life, are awarded the Chief’s Commendation.
Ms. Alyssa Gregory and the family of Mr. Peter Dennis (deceased) – On April 6, 2011, these officers went to a call of a sick or injured person at 5th Avenue and Argyle Street. They found a group of people standing around an unconscious person. With the assistance of Cst. Gregory, Cst. Dennis performed CPR until EMS personnel arrived. The victim was taken to hospital and made a full recovery. The officers’ actions in saving a life have earned the Chief’s Commendation.
In addition, Chief Ralph Martin of the File Hills Police Service presented a special Commendation to retired Staff Sergeant Jerry Nelson.
